Since the now former SA ambassador to the US EbrahimRasool became the first democratic-era ambassador to be declared persona nongrata, the Department of International Affairs and Cooperation has been atpains trying to clarify the situation and make sure tensions do not escalatebetween the two countries. News24 spoke with the department's head of public diplomacyClayson Monyela, and currentdiplomat abroad, as well as Gustavo de Carvalho, who is an international relations expert and senior researcher at the SA Institute ofInternational Affairs, to clarify what happens next.
What happens to South Africa's diplomatic mission in theUS now?
Ismail Esau, the deputy chief of mission becomes the charg d'affaires and leads the mission.
Clayson Monyela, the Department of International Affairs andCooperation's head of diplomacy, said:
So, you execute the position fully because, in an acting capacity, you are given the full responsibility and authority to execute the [ambassadorial] responsibility.
Esau is a career diplomat (employed by the department)beginning his role in Washington in May 2022. Before that he was deployed toGermany (2008 to 2011) and South Korea (2014 to 2017). He was also a policyadvisor for the Department of Trade and Industry and has served in variouseconomic and trade roles.
Monyela confirmed no one else from the embassy has leftand Esau would attend all meetings and duties, as needed until a replacementambassador was chosen.
However, Esau, being of lower diplomatic rank than anambassador, will not have the same access to high-level US government officialsthat Ebrahim Rasool, as ambassador, might have had.
So, Rasool is now known as a former ambassador?
Yes.
Monyela said:
The title of an ambassador is a functional title. Once you leave that post, you can't be an ambassador. You can only but be a former because you are no longer in that position.
Rasool was expelled from the US and declared persona nongrata.
Monyela said a decision on Rasool's future would mostlikely be decided after meeting with both International Affairs and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola andPresident Cyril Ramaphosa.
Did the US have other options besides expulsion?
Yes, it had several less severe options available whichinclude:
- Issuing a formal d marche (diplomatic protest) like it did with former US Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety.
- Sending a note verbale expressing concern.
- Summoning Rasool to explain his remarks.
- Requesting private consultations with South Africa.
- Limiting the ambassador's access to high-level officials.
One diplomat said: "Washington was extremely harshin choosing the most serious option immediately."
Was Rasool's expulsion justified?
A current South Africa diplomat News24 spoke with said Rasoolwas sent to foster US-SA relations and "not to act as an activistquestioning the character of an elected head of state or the policies of theTrump administration".
The diplomat added Rasool's remarks provided Washingtonwith a pretext to expel him because "in truth, they had been waiting foran opportunity".
"While I find no falsehood in what he said, suchstatements should never have come from his mouth as an ambassador."
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Gustavode Carvalho said an expulsion "is one ofthe most severe signals a host country can send".
From the US it was not extreme but from South Africa'sperspective it was, and this "highlights the depth of the rift serving ina transactional environment".
Who becomes the new ambassador to the US?
South Africa does not have any formal process orlegislated procedure for appointing an ambassador.
Ramaphosa, as president, has exclusive authority toappoint whomever he wants, whenever he wants.
Over the week, department officials said a preliminaryprocess to draw up names had begun.
On Thursday, the Presidency confirmed Ramaphosa had"been inundated" with requests from people to serve and othersrecommending names.
However, Presidency spokespersonVincent Magwenya said:
The president is not going to rush the process.
He refrained from giving any timelines on when a decisioncan be expected.
It is expected the department may submit recommendationsfor candidate ambassadors, and Ramaphosa will then make his selection, as wasthe case in other ambassador appointments.
De Carvalho said: "Given the current climate,Pretoria may wish to expedite this but must also choose carefully to ensure thenext ambassador can navigate these tense dynamics effectively."
So, how does this process work for South Africa?
The president will make a decision. The person willundergo a three- to six-month training period with the department, ifnecessary.
Approval from the US (called agr ment) will then need tobe sought.
The US will conduct its own vetting process - and canreject South Africa's candidate without reason if it wishes.
Monyela said, "we don't have any recent history ofany of our nominees being rejected".
He added "it's also possible that the person cannominate somebody who has served as an ambassador before, which means thatperson will already be trained and equipped", and thus shortening thetimelines necessary.
What is the process on the US side for an ambassador?
President Donald Trump will nominatesomeone for the post.
They will go through avetting process in the US and through a Senate hearing before a votewill take place. If successful, the person will be confirmed.
Thereafter an agr ment will be sent to South Africa,which will conduct its own vetting process, before accepting or declining theUS' choice.
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In Trump's first administration, the US ambassador postwas vacant for 33 months before Lana Marks stepped into the role for about ayear. She attributed her delay toa vetting process.
Who is likely to be the next SA ambassador to the US?
Names like Tony Leon, Andries Nel, Trevor Manuel and evenAmbassador Andre Groenewald (current ambassador to Ukraine) havebeen circulating.
However, despite this early speculation, it is unlikely aperson who takes Rasool's positions and advocates for the cause that he didwould be able to gain traction with the Trump administration.
Another consideration is that party partners in the GNUwould also want a say on who the new ambassador would be. For example, the DAhas commented it rejects Nel as he is an "ANCcadre".
